HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 01-18-22; 4-b - Recognition of Felix Nwoko, Former Manager of DCHC MPO 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: January 18, 2022
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Recognition of Felix Nwoko, Former Manager of DCHC MPO
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Letter of Appreciation Renee A. Price, Chair, 919-245-2130
Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919-
245-2130
Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 919-
245-2575
PURPOSE: To recognize Felix Nwoko, former manager of the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro
Metropolitan Planning Organization, upon his retirement on December 31, 2021 .
BACKGROUND: For 27 years, Felix Nwoko played an important role in the development of the
Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO). Mr. Nwoko
helped to professionalize the MPO and develop a technical foundation for planning in the
Triangle area. Mr. Nwoko authored the MPO's first three long-range plans and spearheaded the
creation of modeling tools that are still used to update long-range planning for the MPO. His
extensive knowledge of the transportation planning process and federal policies and procedures
benefitted not just the DCHC MPO, but MPOs throughout the state. Mr. Nwoko also worked to
increase the representation of underrepresented groups in the transportation field by creating
an historically black college and university internship program. Mr. Nwoko recruited a diverse,
knowledgeable, and talented staff at DCHC MPO, and his leadership in the community will be
missed.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board recognize Felix Nwoko upon
his retirement as DCHC MPO Manager, and authorize the Chair to sign a letter of appreciation.
2
RENEE PR/CE,CHAIR Orange County Board of Commissioners ,z _
JAMEZETTA BEDFORD, VICE CHAIR
AMYFowLER Post Office Box 8181
SALLYGREENE
JEANHAMILTO 300 West Tryon Street
EARL
JEANHAMILTON
ANNA cKEEOS Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278'°r
18 January 2022
Felix Nwoko, Manager
DCHC MPO
Re: Letter of Appreciation
Dear Mr. Nwoko,
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners, on behalf of the people of Orange County, hereby
extends our most heartfelt congratulations to you on your forthcoming retirement. We sincerely
appreciate your years of dedicated service at the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning
Organization, and we applaud you for your stellar career in the field of transportation planning.
Working with elected officials, staff members and constituents of the DCHC MPO,you always exhibited
diplomacy while balancing the varying interests of the local governments and stakeholders. You
demonstrated that transportation planning goes beyond the complex and technical nature of state and
federal funding formulas, and you brought this understanding to the households, businesses and
institutions affected by transportation projects and initiatives.
Again, the Orange County community is grateful to you for sharing your intellect and talents with us
over the years, and for your commitment to the growth and sustainability of our region. May the next
phase of your life be filled with joy and laughter.We wish you all the best.
Sincere and warm regards,
Renee A. Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
www.o ra ng a co u n tyn c.g o v
Orange County,North Carolina
(919)245-2130